By Tabby

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 10:16

My friend is Catholic and it is her sons 1st communion soon.
Can anyone advise if there is something usually sent to mark the occasion.
Tabby

Replies

By Francisca

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 10:22

I was brought up as a Catholic and my daughters did their 1st communion as well but I am not aware of anything one can send to mark the occasion... I still remember mine, my parents invited a lot of friends of mine and my older brother, great fun. As far as my daughters go there was always a ceremony with school in the church and then a celebration at home.

By gerry

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 10:46

In Ireland the kids are given money but thankfully that custom didn't carry to here.

By Francisca

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 11:01

I didn't know what you meant with "Sent" but if you are talking about a gift to give to the child I don't know what people do now but when it is a family member people used to give something connected with religion, a children's bible, if it was a girl a nice bracelet or a little necklace. It used to be something for you to keep for the future. Nowadays they probably give big gifts.

By Sheelagh, Rossett nr Chester

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 11:17

Hi - my children both made their First Communions a few years ago.
It is traditional to give something which is a. at least vaguely religious and b. something that they can keep
Easier for girls than boys! A Bible is very traditional - but do ask, as my son ended up with several!
You could give a book of prayers - there are some nice books of prayers for children and young people - I got one of those for a friend's child recently.
Maybe - not religious - but a book of some other sort that could stay with them into adulthood.......
Hope that helps...a bit....
Sheelagh

By Sheelagh, Rossett nr Chester

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 11:20

Just remembered.......If you have an SPCK shop near you - they do nice First Communion cards - and would have prayer books, Bibles etc too

By flymypretty

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 11:24

It's like you read my mind! My friend's little girl makes her First Communion on Sunday and I am similarly clueless. As I am a humanist I don't really want to give her something religious but I do want to acknowledge how much the occassion means to her and her family.
Any ideas much appreciated!

F
x

By Sheelagh, Rossett nr Chester

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 11:34

flymypretty - a little silver bracelet, silver necklace, book of poetry....

By Tabby

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 12:38

Thank you all for the ideas, I really did not want to give money, as you say it's easier for girls. I did want something with a religious connection so maybe a Bible Stories book rather than a Bible would be better. I will check first that no-one else has bought one.

By Francisca

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 13:34

Although I am not at all religious the family on both sides are and my children always enjoyed the Children's Bible very much. I hope that you find what you are looking for.....

By lentilsoup

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 13:55

Hi
How about a silver cross and chain.
Love
Lentil
x

By *Bramble

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 15:24

I thought of the Catholic Chldren's Bible, but it depends on the age of the child, if he's 12 or 13 like we are in the C of E it would be too young for him, but I think Catholics start younger?
Something he can keep, possibly a grown-up Catholic prayer-book, in a box if poss so it survives his childhood years :-)))

By oscarthegrouch

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 16:55

I had my first communion eons ago and to my knowledge it wasn't a tradition to give the kids anything to mark the occasion although the priest who officated gave each one of us a payer card to mark the occasion.

That said, my parents took out out for a meal afterwards.

By ClairW

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 18:10

Hi Tabby - my son made his first holy communion a couple of years ago and I have been thinking about some of the gifts he had then. We bought him a lovely children's crucifix which is really colourfully painted. It was bought in a cathedral shop in Birmingham. He also had a child's set of rosary beads, a small silver cross, a special pen, a holy picture in a frame and various books and prayers. One of his favourite books is his 'Catholic Prayer Book for Children' edited by Julianne M. Will. It is lovely and very child friendly indeed. Also bought in the cathedral shop I think but check out www.teachingcatholickids.com.

Hope this all helps

Clair x

By Canela from Chile

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 19:09

Dear Tabby Im Catholic and the twins made their first Holy Comunion 4 years ago aprox. Is a lovely time to the Catholics and the childs, is curious but I remember mine so claire,as was yesterday, was in my grandmom house (the celebration) I remember the school Chappel (Inmaculada Concepciòn) and the gifts I received. Mom make a lovely Cake as was a wdding (e cakes). When the childs made the Comunion Mom made the same Cake and I only help her to garnish was a beautiful cake.
I think all give you llovely ideas, a silver cross is so nice and lovely books too not necessary the Bible, maybe he as . But Books of wissom and nice to children. I love First Comunion is the most lovely moments ina the Catholic life. You are so nice to want give a gift to the child.xxxCanela

By Canela from Chile

Re: First Communion
16 May 2008 19:13

I think is no really so neccesary Catholic books, may be Christian books that are so lovely!! to childs. My grandpa so comes to England was Adventist! so we are a family so ecumenic!! and I love so.Canela

By Tabby

Re: First Communion
17 May 2008 10:56

Thank you all again for the ideas. Wish me luck ,off out now to have a look.

Tabby x